Learn about and watch bird banding in action Saturdays from April 27 through May 18 at the Audubon Center & Sanctuary, 1600 Riverside Road, Jamestown, N.Y.

Reservations are not required. The event, from 11 a.m. to 7 a.m. each day, is free to attend, but donations are appreciated.

Ornithologists will capture migrating and resident birds, fit them with identification bands, measure and weigh them, then release them back into the wild.

Dress for the weather and pack bird guides and binoculars if you have them, though they are not necessary.

Volunteer to help the Audubon Center & Sanctuary in Jamestown, N.Y., clean up its grounds April 20 for another season of activities.

Volunteers can choose their work crew activity: to pull non-native plants, plant native seeds and shrubs, spruce up the gardens, pick up trash as part and possibly more.

Work will go on rain or shine, so dress for the weather and pack work gloves if you have them. Lunch will be provided to all volunteers.

Reservations are required by April 17 (call 716-569-2345 after that date).

Registration April 20 runs from 8:30-9 a.m., when work crews will be selected. Work goes from 9:30 a.m. to noon, followed by lunch and prizes.

More than 80 people turned out for the first Volunteer Day in 2012.

Take a free tour of the Audubon Center and Sanctuary in Jamestown, N.Y., on Jan. 19.

Free admission hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the center, 1600 Riverside Road
Jamestown, NY 14701, as part of Doors Open Jamestown. Reservations are not required.

The center features hands-on exhibits, live animals, a nature store, plus 5 miles of maintained trails for hiking or cross country skiing. Another big draw is Liberty, the center’s resident and non-releasable bald eagle.

For information, call (716) 569-2345 or visit the center’s website.

FYI: If you’re thinking about combining a trip to Audubon with a stop at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, sorry — RTPI is closed until Jan. 22 for computer and exhibit upgrades.

If you’re off work or school during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, you might want to make the short drive to Jamestown, N.Y., for one of the many nature programs on the schedule at the Audubon Center & Sanctuary, 1600 Riverside Road.

1. Eagle behind-the-scenes tour, Dec. 26, 10 a.m.-noon. Learn how Liberty, the center’s resident bald eagle, is cared for during a program at the multipurpose room and Liberty’s kitchen. Cost is $7, or $5 for friends of the center. Reservations are not required. Bring a lunch. Program fee includes a self-guided tour of the building.

2. Hike with a naturalist, Dec. 27, 10 a.m.-noon. Meet in the lobby before wandering the center’s trails on the all-ages hike. Cost is $7, or $5 for friends of the center. Reservations are not required. Building admission is included in the fee.

3. Christmas with the Critters, Dec. 28, 10 a.m.-noon., in the multipurpose room. Meet some of Audubon animals up close during a live animal presentation. Cost is $7, $5 for friends of the center, or select a tag in advance from the Giving Tree and bring the item as your admission. Reservations are not required.

Giving Tree gifts benefit the live animals at Audubon, including Liberty, and the staff that takes care of them. Items like paper towels, bleach, Ziploc bags, sponges, brushes, and soap help staff care for the animals. Items like hides, bark, light bulbs, food, and decorations help the animals directly. Other things that help out are paper, laminate, pencils, printer ink, and gift cards to maintain the records and signs for the animals. Names, addresses and phone numbers should be on the tags so donation thank-yous can be sent.

4. Hike with a naturalist, Dec. 29, 10 a.m.-noon. Meet in the lobby before wandering the center’s trails on the all-ages hike. Cost is $7, or $5 for friends of the center. Reservations are not required. Building admission is included in the fee.

The center is closed Dec. 24 and 25. It is scheduled to be open Dec. 26-29 and Dec. 31 from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

The Audubon Center & Sanctuary in Jamestown, N.Y., will focus the March 2 First Friday Lunch Bunch on a very springlike activity: “Hiking the Wild and Woolly Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy Properties.”

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., conservancy executive director John Jablonski and Ann Beebe will explain (with photos) which of the conservancy properties that feature paths might make for enjoyable walks.

Bring your own lunch to eat after the presentation. Reservations are not required. Cost is $5 for sanctuary members, $7 for nonmembers.

Need a day trip with an outdoors theme this weekend? Try the fourth annual Art in the Woods at the Jamestown Audubon Center and Sanctuary Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 per person and free for children 12 and under.

While you’re in the neighborhood, check out the Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown as well, or keep going on I-86 to Allegany State Park.